NUTELLA TRUFFLES WITH FRANGELICO

Like I said a couple of weeks ago, Brian and I don’t really get into the whole Valentine’s Day thing. Because of that, it’s doubtful that you’ll ever see a slew of pretty pink confections gracing the pages of MBA.  Not that I have anything against cutesy or pink – it’s just not me – so I’ll  leave it to bloggers like Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle and Confessions of a Cookbook Queen, whose deliciously adorable Valentine’s Day desserts will make just about anyone feel like they’ve been struck by Cupid’s arrow.

But hey, I’m never one to pass up an excuse to make yummy things. I thought I’d still create a couple of homemade treats that are a little more my speed – like truffles. In my opinion, they are the perfect dessert for pretty much any occasion. They’re bite-size, sweet, decadent and the perfect foundation for just about any flavor combination imaginable.

Rich, dark chocolate is infused with Nutella and Frangelico, then rolled in toasted, chopped hazelnuts to create a simple, yet stunning Valentine’s Day treat for your sweetie and you. And I guarantee you, these truffles are cheaper and far more indulgent than anything you’ll find on the drugstore shelves. Who knows how long those heart shaped boxes sit in storage, right?

INGREDIENTS:

• 10 ounces semi chocolate or bittersweet chocolate, chopped (or chocolate morsels)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup Nutella
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons Frangelico liqueur
• 1/2 cup toasted hazelnuts, finely chopped (see notes)

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a double boiler over barely simmering water, combine chocolate, butter, heavy cream and Nutella. Heat until chocolate is melted. Stir until you have a smooth mixture.
2. Remove from chocolate mixture from heat and allow it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
3. Whisk in vanilla and Frangelico.
4. Pour mixture into a shallow dish (example: 8×8 pyrex dish) and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about 2 hours. If you refrigerate longer than two hours, the mixture will be too hard to work with. If this occurs, allow the mixture to sit at room temperature until they are pliable enough to work with.
5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. Using a small scoop (2 teaspoons) or a melon baller, scoop out chocolate mixture, roll into one inch balls, and place on prepared baking sheet. Continue with remaining chocolate mixture.
7. Roll balls in chopped hazelnuts.
8. Refrigerate truffles until ready to serve.

NOTES:

For information on how to skin and toast hazelnuts, check out my post, How to Skin Hazelnuts

Truffles will store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

If you do not have Frangelico, simply omit the ingredient, just note the recipe will lack the layer of flavor that the Frangelico imparts to the truffles. You can typically find mini bottles of Frangelico for about $2.99 at liquor stores.

Recipe Source:mybakingaddiction.com